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Post by Admin on Jul 18, 2021 5:34:33 GMT
Tokyo (AP) — Japanese composer Keigo Oyamada, who is part of the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, apologized for bullying his classmates at an early age. His report of abusing a child with a disability, recently published online and featured in the Japanese media, has caused a backlash on social media and demanded his resignation. Famous rock musician Oyamada boasted in detail about the abuse in an interview with a Japanese magazine he conducted in the 1990s. “Of course, I sincerely apologize to my classmates who hurt me, and to all my fans, friends and other stakeholders,” Oyamada, also known as Cornelius, said in a statement on July 16. Oyamada, who also apologized on Twitter, said he would like to contact the person who bullied him and apologize. He said he was “immature,” and it was guilt that prevented him from moving forward. The scandal is the latest thing that has plagued the tournament, and we are already working on a coronavirus pandemic, with only five days left to open. According to the survey, Japanese people are still worried about health risks and some want to cancel or postpone the event. IOC Chairman Thomas Bach confronted protesters in Tokyo and Hiroshima, the sites of the atomic bombings of World War II. There is also growing criticism of Bach’s “welcome reception” set up on Sunday night at state guesthouses. Tokyo is currently in a government “emergency” over a pandemic, urging people not to go out at night or gather in groups.
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Post by Admin on Jul 19, 2021 19:53:55 GMT
A composer has quit the team creating the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony after it emerged he had bullied classmates with disabilities at school. Old magazine articles resurfaced in which Keigo Oyamada, 52, boasted of the bullying and said he had no regrets. After the scandal broke, the performer apologised. But the outrage in Japan has now led to his resignation. It is the latest setback for the games, which are opening on Friday under the shadow of the coronavirus outbreak. "I have become painfully aware that accepting the offer of my musical participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics lacked consideration to a lot of people," said Mr Oyamada, who is widely known as Cornelius. In a statement, the Tokyo 2020 organising committee said Mr Oyamada's actions were "absolutely unacceptable". "In light of his sincere apology, we expressed a willingness to allow Mr Oyamada to continue his work on preparations in the short time remaining before the opening ceremony," it said. However, the committee later decided to accept his resignation and apologised for the "offence and confusion caused". The organisers of the Tokyo games have had to deal with several high-profile resignations. In March, creative chief Hiroshi Sasaki quit after suggesting that a female comedian could appear as an "Olympig". Mr Sasaki said plus-size entertainer Naomi Watanabe could wear pig ears at the opening ceremony. He later apologised. In February, Yoshiro Mori was forced to step down as the head of the organising committee after he made remarks about women that were criticised as "inappropriate". Mr Mori was quoted as saying women talked too much and that meetings with many female board directors would "take a lot of time".
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Post by Admin on Jul 20, 2021 19:03:52 GMT
Keigo Oyamada, a Japanese composer working on the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, quit on Monday after coming under fire for bullying classmates during his childhood.
“I sincerely accept the opinions and advice I have received, express my gratitude, and will keep them in mind for my future actions and thoughts,” he said in posts on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.
“I apologise from the bottom of my heart.”
Reports of his past abuse of classmates, including those with disabilities, surfaced online recently and sparked a backlash on social media plus demands for Oyamada’s resignation.
Games organisers initially said he would stay on because he had shown remorse.
Hours after Oyamada submitted his resignation, they reversed their position and called his actions “absolutely unacceptable”. They said their earlier decision to let Oyamada stay on in light of his apology, and the short time left before the opening ceremony, was “wrong”.
“We offer our deepest apologies for the offence and confusion caused to so many during this time,” organisers said in a statement.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Oyamada's past bullying went against government policy of achieving an inclusive society and “cannot be tolerated”.
A segment of the music Oyamada composed for this week’s opening ceremony will not be used, and the musician will be also removed from his planned role in the Paralymics opening event, organising committee chief executive Toshiro Muto told reporters at a late night news conference.
The Olympic opening ceremony will be held without spectators in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus infections, although some officials, guests and media will attend.
The resignation comes as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government faces criticism for prioritising the Olympics despite the public's health concerns amid the resurgence of the infections.
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